Today host Hoda Kotb breaks down in TEARS as she opens up about four-year-old daughter Hope's terrifying  health scare - as she recalls how she tried to make 'resilient' youngster 'feel safe' while in the hospital

Hoda Kotb broke down in tears on Tuesday morning as she recalled being in hospital with her daughter Hope last year amid the youngster's ICU 'health scare'.

Today with Hoda & Jenna opened with the news that Hoda's new book, Hope Is A Rainbow, is now available to buy and the 59-year-old TV star couldn't resist explaining why she decided to dedicate her latest project to her four-year-old child.

Speaking to her co-host Jenna Bush Hager, she said: 'This morning I was writing a note. I tuck away letters that I give to my children around their birthday time, I write a letter that describes what they are like at that particular age.

'And I was writing one for Hope. I was just talking about how incredible and resilient she is and what she has overcome in the past year and how she is braver than she ever imagined. When I'm describing her, I said there is a song that we love, and it's called I am light, it's a beautiful song.'

Hoda Kotb broke down in tears on Tuesday morning as she recalled being in hospital with her daughter Hope last year

Hoda was seen wiping away tears as her co-host Jenna Bush Hager also became emotional

The 59-year-old TV star pictured with her daughter's Hope, four, and six-year-old Haley

Hoda continued: 'And whenever we get into a place that we feel unsure, like when Hope was sick, and there was a lot of commotion going on around her in the hospital, I played that.

'I held that next to her ear and it played and it drowned out all the sounds. In that moment we were all safe. I was looking at her, trying to make it quiet and make her safe and calm.

'I remembered thinking to myself, "this song, this song..." and now when Hope goes, "can we play our song?" Our song is I am light,' she added, as a snippet of the song played out and Hoda's eyes filled with tears.

Mother-of-three Jenna was visibly emotional too and told Hoda: 'You know, when I was listening to you say all of that about your precious daughter, it's about you, too.

'You are stronger than you were a year ago, you are braver than you ever thought possible, you can do so much. And you are also softer, more gentle, open.

'Like I have chills thinking about it because I was listening to you and I'm like, "She is also talking about herself." And isn't that weird how our kids bring us to this place where we are better than we are?' the 42-year-old blond added.

Trying to remain composed, Hoda replied: Yes, and you think to yourself in the middle of things, "How would this ever turn into something..." I can't believe you said that.'

'It's true, I was listening to you and you were talking about yourself... and obviously, there is nobody that is more filled with light. So the fact that you wrote book about rainbows, which is the ultimate light prism, it's just perfect and we are so happy to get to celebrate you today.'

Mother-of-three Jenna broke down in tears too as she praised Hoda for being 'softer' and 'more gentle' since Hope's health scare

Today with Hoda & Jenna were celebrating the release of Hoda's new book Hope Is A Rainbow which was inspired by her youngest daughter

Hoda was in tears yet again as a pre-recorded video message from Hope played out onscreen

A short while later, the duo were in tears yet again as a pre-recorded video message from Hope played out as the tot was sitting at home on a sofa holding a copy of the new book.

'I'm so excited for book to come out and I love it,' the four-year-old said, before adding: 'I know I'm enough because my mommy loves me.'

Hoda was clearly touched by her daughter's sentiment and was seen wiping away tears as she joked: 'That was really not nice!' as she looked at the crew working behind the scenes.

The broadcaster first opened up about Hope's hospital stay on March 6 last year when she returned to Today following a two-week absence.

Hoda - who had not appeared on the Today show since February 17 - opened up about her daughter's illness, telling her co-anchor Savannah Guthrie: 'My youngest Hope was in the ICU for a few days and then the hospital for a little more than a week. 

'I'm so grateful she is home, she is back home. I was waiting for that day to come. And we are watching her closely. I'm just so happy.'

Hoda then began to tear up as she paid tribute to all of the doctors and medical staff who took care of her daughter, before thanking her family and friends for all of their support during the difficult time.

'And you know what I realized too? When your child is ill, the amount of gratitude you can have for people who have helped you out,' she explained. 

'I'm grateful for the doctors at Weill Cornell who were amazing and the nurses and I'm grateful to my family and I'm grateful to friends like you who were there every single day. I want to say thank you for that. I love you.'

Hoda shares her adopted daughters Haley, six, and Hope with her ex Joel Schiffman, whom she was previously engaged to.